Silva, who is returning from a one-year suspension for submitting artificial urine to the California State Athletic Commission in an attempt to mask steroid use ahead of his UFC 125 win over Brandon Vera, was originally slated to rematch “The Truth” at UFC on Fuel 3 on May 15 before a training injury forced his opponent out of the bout. Igor Pokrajac stepped up to replace Vera, but it looks like the UFC will now have to find a replacement for the Croation.

This bout definitely provides a step up for Silva in competition from his previously slated two opponents, but this isn’t the first time the 29-year-old has faced a highly-touted adversary. A win over a bright prospect like “The Mauler” could propel the American Top Team fighter, who is 1-2 and 1 NC in his past four fights, back into the mix of 205-pound UFC contenders.

Gustafsson (13-1) will have the home crowd in Sweden on his side, as well as the momentum of four-straight wins — three in the past year — inside the Octagon. Silva’s inactivity may be the biggest factor in this fight, but Gustafsson may have a chink in his armor that the Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt might be able to expose. The sole loss of the 25-year-old’s career came against Phil Davis via first-round anaconda choke, which makes the pairing with Silva — a known knockout artist with unheralded submission skills, very intriguing.

Cagepotato Comments

Showing 1-25 of comments

This will still be a good main event. Thiago Silva has a lot to prove but has ring rust so he might be ready. Plus he will have to be ready earlier than expected which should give the advantage to Gustafsson.

Check out this article about the replacement http://www.ufcfightblogger.com/news/thiago-silva-fills-injured-antonio-rogerio-nogueira-alexander-gustafsson-ufc-fuel-2/

Ani703- March 7, 2012 at 7:39 am

This will be a great fight. This is SO much more interesting than any fight involving Lil Nog. Yeah, Thiago juiced and got busted. But he's an exciting fighter, as is Gustafsson. This fight will be hard to predict. Could be explosive.

Todd M- March 6, 2012 at 8:33 pm

^ Ha, I hope Gustaffson beats that juicer.

Susan B. Sandwiches- March 6, 2012 at 5:48 pm

You know what would help lil' nog and Vera recover faster from their injuries? Because Thiago does..

Motivated Penn- March 6, 2012 at 3:01 pm

Very excited for this event, glad to see the Swedes treated to a good card! Rooting for Gustafsson and Thoresen ;)

skeletor- March 6, 2012 at 3:01 pm

@karma-I agree, as a skilled pyrotechnician I don't feel Sweden gets enough credit for there expertise in fireworks outside the pyro community. If this event does one thing I hope it puts Sweden on the map as one of the premier fireworks countries in the world.